226 . THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 
New Zealand, quite a lot of money is turned over in exporting 
the dried fungus to China. It has been reported by Sim- 
monds, that ‘‘of this edible fungus, in 1871 alone, the quan- 
tity exported from Tahiti to China represented a value of 
£7,000. 
Sir James Hector also reported that the export from 
New Zealand in 1885 to China was 6,389 cwt. valued at 
£11,079. ; 
In Grevillea vol. X., p. 59, under the heading ‘“‘A 
' Curious Trade in Fungus,’’ it is stated that from Taranaki, 
N.Z., 58 tons valued at £1,927 was shipped to China in 1872. 
In 1877, 220 tons valued at £11,318, and 1880, £6,227 
worth was shipped to China. 
In Lloyd’s Mycological Notes, No. 37 (1911), a further 
reference 1s published as follows, which is taken from the 
“Taranaki Herald,’ Taranaki, New Zealand. ‘‘From 1870 
to 1903 the Customs return of New Plymouth, N.Z., show 
that £305,995 was used in the actual purchase of the stuff 
from settlers. In addition to this sum an equal amount was 
spent in labour in packing and in freight. In 1903, Mr. 
Chong (a Chinese merchant, who specialised in the product) 
went to China, and the fungus business lapsed for a time; 
but from 1904 to 1909 £58,793 was paid. This with labour 
and freight, has caused a total circulation of £700,000 in 
forty years—surely a very considerable worth for one man.’’ 
The species mentioned by Lloyd is H. Auricula-Judae, but 
it will probably be found that H. polytricha is the most com- 
mon species exported. 
EXCURSIONS. 
Maroupra Bay.—On 7th June, the members led by 
Mr. T. Whitelegge, visited Maroubra Bay for the purpose of 
collecting Aboriginal Stone Chippings and other relics. A 
very profitable afternoon was spent amongst the sandhills, 
and under Mr. Whitelegge’s guidance a considerable number 
of excellent flakes and varied small implements were obtained. 
> T.S. 
ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.—On the afternoon of sth July, 
the members visited the Zoological Gardens, about 80 being 
present. The Director, Mr. A. S. le Souef conducted the 
excursion. Some interesting Wallaroos and Phalangers were 
examined, which had been obtained from Cobar, N.S. Wales; 
Broome, W.A.; and the coastal districts of northern N.S. 
Wales and of Queensland. Some of these may require to be 
separated as sub-species as the colour varies from white to 
various shades of dark or rusty-brown as compared with the 
ordinary silvery-grey. A beautiful Bird of Paradise and a 
Lyre Bird were shown, the latter having been in captivity 
for over six months; it is fed on ant-laryae and hard-boiled 
eggs, as well as white ants. Mr. le Souef drew attention to 
